Injectable Facial Fillers

Signs of facial aging become visible over time as a direct result of sun exposure, heredity and life style. The earliest signs are the development of wrinkles and the loss of facial fullness. This can be reversed with the use of injectible fillers in non-surgical procedures. Injectable fillers can plump thin lips, enhance shallow contours, soften facial creases and wrinkles, or improve the appearance of recessed scars.

There are different types of fillers and they all have their own characteristics. You should review and decide with the surgeon which is best for you. Here are some of the options:

• Collagen is a natural protein that supports the skin. Injectable collagen formulas derived from human dermis include Cosmoderm® or Cosmoplast®. Zyderm® and Zyplast® are forms of bovine collagen that, unlike human derived collagen, require prior allergy testing. The results may last 2 to 4 months.
• Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance found in our bodies. It is well suited to plump thin lips and fill facial creases such as nasolabial folds. It may also be appropriate for some surface wrinkles and concave scars. The results may last 6 months or longer.
• Hydroxylapatite is a mineral-like compound found naturally in human bones, suspended in a gel-like formulation. It is the heaviest of facial fillers and is recommended to fill deeper creases such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines and frown lines, as well as to enhance fullness of the cheeks and other facial contours.
• Human fat, harvested from your own body, can be reinjected to enhance facial fullness, fill deep creases and to build up shallow contours. Fat injection requires a more extensive procedure than other injectable fillers because it uses liposuction techniques to extract the fat prior to injection. (Fat can be stored for your own future treatment. The duration of results from preserved fat is not as favorable as fat used at the same time it is harvested.)

During The Procedure

The injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent and icing or a topical numbing agent may be offered to make more sensitive patients comfortable. In some cases, the filler itself will contain an anesthetic agent. In other cases local anesthetic may be administered to the treatment site. Injection takes only a few moments per site and a few minutes for a course of treatment. Following injection, any markings will be cleansed and icing may be offered to alleviate any temporary, minor discomfort. Makeup may be carefully re-applied so long as care is taken not to apply pressure to the treatment area.

An improved appearance is visible almost immediately, although minor swelling or bruising may appear at the injection sites. The results of soft tissue augmentation with injectable fillers are not permanent, even though a filler substance may be considered permanent. Should you choose not to repeat treatment, your appearance will return to its original condition.